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Super soft and full of cinnamon, this snickerdoodle recipe is one we’ve made for decades that is beyond delicious and NO-FAIL!

The best Snickerdoodle recipe - cookies stacked on a white plate.
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A Family Favorite

Snickerdoodle cookies are a classic cookie we have made our whole lives. The family is obsessed with them and fortunately you guys are too! With over 3,000 FIVE STAR reviews, this recipe has been made and enjoyed by thousands of you each year and we cannot tell you how happy that makes us.

This easy cookie recipe was first made by mom decades ago. It was also one of the first recipes we ever shared here on Lil’ Luna. Although we haven’t changed the recipe, we have shared more tips and tricks to make sure it’s NO-FAIL and turns out perfect EVERY TIME.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Perfectly sweet. It’s double-dipped in cinnamon + sugar!
  • Pantry staples. The ingredients are simple and found in most kitchens!
  • Giftable. They make a great addition to Christmas cookie plates.
Ingredients for snickerdoodles on a kitchen counter.

Ingredients

  • 2 ยพ cups all-purpose flourHow to Measure Flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar – creates the signature tangy flavor
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butterjust softened!
    • This is KEY! When you press in finger into the butter, you want it to barely indent. Too hard, and the dough won’t be just right – too soft and your cookies will be flat.
  • 1ยฝ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 whole eggs – room temperature eggs incorporate the best
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • โ…“ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Cream of Tartar Substitution

Replace the 2 teaspoons cream of tartar AND the 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ยฝ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar.

How to Make SnickerdoodleS

  1. BATTER. In a medium bowl, stir the 2ยพ cup flour, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ยฝ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand mixer) cream together 1 cup butter (barely softened) and 1ยฝ cups sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix until it is well blended.
  2. SHAPE. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix well, and then shape the dough into 1-inch balls (no need to chill).
  3. COAT. In a small bowl, combine โ…“ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon. Roll the dough balls into the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
  4. BAKE. Place on an un-greased pan, and bake at 350ยฐF for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.
To chill or not to chill snickerdoodle cookies

To Chill or Not to Chill?

This is the main question we get asked about this snickerdoodle recipe so we decided to test it for you to show the differences. The results speak for themselves!

  • CHILLED – the cookie is more poofy, doesn’t have as many cracks on top and does not expand as much.
  • CHILLED + FLATTENED – this cookie expanded the most, but became almost too flat
  • NOT CHILLED – our preferred method – you can see that the cookie is not too flat, has all the cracks on top and is PERFECT.
Snickerdoodle cookies stacked on top of each other with bite taken out.

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4.99 from 3408 votes

Snickerdoodle Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Super soft and full of cinnamon, this snickerdoodle recipe is one we've made for decades that is beyond delicious and NO-FAIL!
Servings: 36
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Snickerdoodle Dough

  • 2ยพ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, just softened
  • 1ยฝ cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Sugar Coating

  • โ…“ cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a stand mixer, cream together butter (barely softened) and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
  • In a small bowl, combine โ…“ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out dough and roll it into a ball. Roll each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture – twice.
  • Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

Cream of tartar substitute. Replace the 2 teaspoons cream of tartar AND the 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 teaspoons of baking powder and ยฝ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar.
Store. Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store in a freezer bag, or air-tight container in the freezer for up to 4 months.ย 
Store cookie dough. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 125kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 67mg, Potassium: 45mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 172IU, Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store the dough?

Cover and store the dough from this snickerdoodle recipe in the fridge for 1-2 days. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.

How to store?

Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store in a freezer bag, or air-tight container in the freezer for up to 4 months.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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4.99 from 3408 votes (2,497 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




1,773 Comments

  1. Meagan says:

    5 stars
    We made these last night & loved them SO MUCH. It gets a permanent spot in my recipe binder for sure ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Cindy says:

    One of the worst recipes for snickerdoodle I’ve made. ๐Ÿ™

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the cookies. Thanks for giving them a try.

  3. Brandy says:

    I’m about to try this recipe but, I just wanted to say Thank You for making your recipes so easy to follow and for the substitutions suggestions! You have made the whole process so much easier and less intimidating when it comes to new recipes! ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿฝโ€๐Ÿณ๐Ÿฅฐ

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    This has been my go-to recipe since I met my boyfriend, who loves Snickerdoodles! I swear he fell in love harder for me when I brought these to him when we first started dating lol 3 years later I’m still making these for him!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh that makes me so happy to hear!! So glad the cookie recipe has been a hit for you!

      1. Tia says:

        5 stars
        I can’t find my vanilla extract but googled said add half of what the recipe calls for of almond extract will that be ok? I also have maple ? Lol

      2. Lil'Luna Team says:

        You could try almond! I love almond in recipes. It’ll just give a slightly different flavor, but will probably still be delicious! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    2. Kathleen Wiesend says:

      My daughter made them for my now SIL. Apparently it is the way to a

  5. James says:

    5 stars
    Amazing 10/10

  6. Claire says:

    5 stars
    The best cookies Iโ€™ve ever made

  7. Denise says:

    These taste great but Iโ€™m wondering why mine came out flat

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      There could be a few reasons for flat cookies. You can try chilling the dough, which often helps create a thicker cookie. You could add a little bit more flour to the batter as well, but be careful to not add too much more or you will have dry, dense cookies. Using cold butter can help as well.

    2. Tia says:

      Same! Mine are very FLAT!! LOL

  8. Ella says:

    Not very sweet, doesnโ€™t taste like a snickerdoodle cookie, just tastes like a cookie coated in cinnamon

  9. Jane says:

    5 stars
    Me and my family love these snickerdoodle’s! It is great that I can make these confidently now;I really enjoy this recipe and it is my go to when making sickerdoodles.:)

  10. Christina says:

    5 stars
    These turn out amazing! My whole family is obsessed. Thank you.